Rain gardens are an attractive landscape feature that help to capture and filter stormwater. They work hard to remove pollutants and reduce the amount of water adding to stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff can be harmful to our local waterways because it carries surface pollutants such as oil, grease, fertilizers and pesticides, which can cause imbalances in aquatic ecosystems.
Native plants are utilized in rain gardens because they are adapted to our region and can handle extreme periods of drought and rainfall. They are also attractive to local pollinators and wildlife, have deep root systems that "scrub" pollutants and require less management than traditional landscaping, once established.
Rain gardens are a simple tool to create a healthy, vibrant landscape that works to improve our waterways and watershed! For more information about rain gardens, please visit http://www.irwp.org